Eid holiday announcement a step closer in Oman

The men who will announce the start of the next Islamic month in Oman, and in the process confirm the official day of Eid, are meeting tomorrow.
 

The Moon Sighting Committee will meet on Monday in order to determine the start of Dhul Hijja, the next month, officials announced.

A representative from the Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs has confirmed that the Moon Sighting Committee will meet tomorrow in order to make announcements regarding the start of the Islamic calendar month, Dhul Hijja.

"The Committee will meet tomorrow. We will receive confirmation soon regarding the Hijri calendar dates," a representative said.

When the new month starts that will determine which day the eagerly awaited Eid holiday falls.

According to the lunar calendar, Eid will occur on the 10th day of Dhul Hijja. If the month of Dhul Hijja starts on Wednesday, 23rd of August, then Eid will occur on Friday, September 1.

However, if the month of Dhul Hijja starts on Thursday, August 24, then Eid will occur on Saturday, the 2nd of September.

The Saudi Arabian lunar calendar currently does not match Oman's, as Saudi Arabia is one day ahead in the lunar calendar.

According to the Saudi News Agency, Saudi's Supreme Court has called on all Muslims throughout the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to sight the crescent of Dhu Al-Hijjah month, 1438 AH, on Monday evening, the 29th of Dhu-AlQa'dah, in Saudi Arabia.

The Saudi Supreme Court called in its announcement whoever sees the crescent of the month of Dhu Al-Hijjah by naked eyes or binoculars to report to the nearest court and register his testimony, or report to the nearest centre to facilitate his arrival at a court.

Meanwhile, according to the Qatar Calendar House (QCH), the new month of Dhul Hijja is expected to start on Wednesday, August 23, in Qatar.